Complaints

• Initial Complaint

  08/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On September 9, 2022, ********************* came to address ***********************************************************, to do a home inspection. Per the inspection report, I spoke to the inspector about his findings, per the report, and felt reassured the home was safe to move forward after his follow-up after the sellers made some home repairs, on the home based on his professional opinion. However, I feel disappointed as a new homeowner regarding his ethical conduct. I did my best to educate myself and asked questions about the information I was unsure about because I was making a big purchase. I feel taken for granted as a new homeowner who was naive to put my trust in this professional. I received concerning information regarding the **** system in the older home the inspector should have reported and detailed in his report which was not done. Also, I was informed an **** company doesn't come to a home until after the buyer cements ownership of the home. Based upon their professional opinion, the inspector should have noticed these issues and made the future homeowner aware of them before closing on the home, to have the sellers fix the issues. I am aware my home is an older home and has its challenges. I should have been told, so I could have made provisions to the sellers to cover major costs for repairs/replacement of this **** system and electrical problems in the attic, along with the lack of insulation, which I feel they were aware of but chose not to disclose. I did not sign off on any clause in my contract that I am aware of such repair and take full responsibility to put my family in danger. If I had known of this safety hazard, I would not have bought the home in its current condition.

  

  Business response

  08/13/2023

  I am truly sorry you feel that way. 

  
  **** inspectors in the state of Alabama abide by the Alabama ********** of ****************************************** Administrative Code,Chapter 355-18-1 which is our Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, which is adopted from the **************** of **** Inspectors (ASHI) Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

  
  As a home inspector we are limited to what we can and are allowed to do with the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (****)system.  We are not **** technicians and cannot disassemble a unit to gain access to its interior parts.  We also do not conduct sizing calculations (known as J Load calculations) or check efficiency.  This includes sizing calculations of the air return, ductwork, coil size, and overall unit size.

  
  There are no restrictions on mixing different brands and manufacture dates of **** components if they are the same size and use the same refrigerant. The system that was present at the time of the inspection were both 3-ton units that used R-22 refrigerant, this is an acceptable installation.

  
  We check the function of the system through normal operating controls.  When the system functions we will measure the temperatures at the return and registers.  These two temperatures tell us if the system is functioning.  On the day of your inspection the thermostat was not functional, which was noted in your report as item 8.5.1 and we recommended repair or replacement and evaluate the **** system by a qualified **** professional. When the inspector returned on October 21, 2022, he checked the furnace but did not check the temperatures of the air conditioner.  This may have been due to the outside air temperature being too low (below 65 degrees Fahrenheit) to safely operate the system. The system seems to have maintained your desired temperatures for the majority of the cooling months, which tells me that it would have provided the required temperatures at the time of the inspection. 

  
  Cleaning coils are common home maintenance which is recommended to be done twice a year. Air is flowing through the interior coils anytime the heat or air is functioning. They naturally get dirty over time despite having a regularly changed filter.  The inspection was conducted on September 29, 2022 and the issues with the system were reported August 3,2023.  The system was functioning for 10 months without cleaning.

  
  I attempted to return to your home after being notified of this issue to personally observe the condition of the ductwork, insulation, and unsafe high voltage wiring.  I was denied that opportunity by the homeowner. I now have to assume the high voltage wiring in question is the missing junction box, as noted in item 6.3.1 of your inspection report, which recommended evaluation by a qualified electrical contractor. No photos of the issues were provided with the **** technicians report.
  
  Sincerely,
  ***************************
  House Call of North Alabama LLC
  Owner

  Customer response

  08/17/2023

   
  Complaint: 20430972
  
  I am rejecting this response because: The home inspector had the opportunity to inspect the **** system 9 months ago! I trusted your expertise, but I see that was error on my part. I stand behind the facts of Dynamic *********************, LLC! 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

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